Originally Posted by
gng1
Thanks for that. Not sure it was the boost hose issue that is so well documented. Might be. My skills and expertise are in other areas. But I'm told the hose replaced was an elbow and so maybe not one of the ones with the notorious issue?
I'm not a mechanic. A mechanic in a proper workshop and his helpers were unable to identify the problem during intermittent stuffing around over a 24 hour period ("its boosting okay"; "I can't see any tears or holes..." etc) before telling me to see if the RACQ would tow it home, so I don't know I'd be any better in the middle of the desert with the best tool kit and spare part collection going.
It really is bit much if the Defender is so unreliable that you have to skill yourself up to diagnose and fix problems that can't be worked out by someone who earns there living as a mechanic.
Without being too defensive: the French line in the Simpson Desert is relatively busy and we knew that to be case before heading off. I also had insurance to cover up to $30,000 for off-road recovery in the event of a mechanical breakdown that required assistance, the vehicle had just had its major 80,000 service, and I had basic tools and rescue tape.
But sure, I'd like to learn a bit more about what I'm driving - you offering?
